Harry Connick Jr.

Other than being the heir apparent to Frank Sinatra (okay, no one can match Old Blue Eyes, but Harry is by far the best of today's crop of crooners). A budding acting career in which he shows that he can be flexible and be smooth as silk or creepy as hell.

Appeal

Some guys have all the luck. Harry has the kind of female fans that throw their bras onstage, and proposition him ad infinitum. To add insult to injury, he is also married to the beautiful former Victoria's Secret model, Jill Goodacre. Tough life being surrounded by gorgeous women that want you, isn't it?

Success

He still hasn't had a breakthrough mainstream hit song, the genre-transcending kind that makes it onto the pop charts. Though you aren't likely to find Harry's albums at the top of the charts, his albums have staying power. He has sold millions and is the most accomplished musician in his category.

Harry Connick Jr. Biography

Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. was born September 11, 1967, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother, who died from ovarian cancer when Connick was 13 years old, was a judge, while his father was the District Attorney for New Orleans.

Apart from law, Connick's parents owned a record store, which could explain his interest in music at such an early age. By the age of three, Connick was fiddling on the keyboard and piano, and three years later, young Harry was already performing publicly.

After recording with a local professional jazz band, Connick began doing the French Quarter jazz circuit, performing in clubs. Taking jazz to the educational level, Connick attended the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, learning from jazz greats Ellis Marsalis (Wynton and Branford's father) and the late James Booker; Connick's musical hero.

Connick later moved to New York City to attend Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music. A Columbia Records executive requested to meet with Connick and was impressed by his mature style. Connick signed to Columbia and his self-titled debut album was released in 1987.

By the time his second album, 20 (named in honor of his age at the time) was released in 1988, audiences were already familiar with his instrumental music, thanks to his first album and his New York performances. With 20, audiences realized he was also a smooth crooner.

Rob Reiner approached Connick to compose a soundtrack for the 1989 romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally.... While jazz connoisseurs were already familiar with Connick, the more mainstream international audiences were introduced to the artist sometimes referred to as the next Frank Sinatra.

Once the When Harry Met Sally... soundtrack went double-platinum with songs such as "It Had To Be You" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off", the world met Harry with commercial and critical success, and a world tour.

In 1991, Connick released Blue Light, Red Light, a vocal album with the backup of a big band. Despite the lack of Top 20 singles, Connick has always been a mainstay within jazz circles, and his albums have always maintained critical success and platinum status. In 1992, Connick released 25, followed by When My Heart Finds Christmas in 1993, and She in 1994.

1996 saw the release of the less popular Star Turtle, while his most recent album, Come By Me, brings the big band sound back to listeners.

Connick not only contributed to the movie industry, he also made acting another day job. He made his acting debut in 1990's Memphis Belle, and has since appeared in Little Man Tate, starred in the 1995 thriller Copycat, and has had roles in Independence Day, Excess Baggage, Hope Floats (as Sandra Bullock's love interest), and has lent his soothing voice to The Iron Giant and My Dog Skip.

When not in studio or behind the camera, the Grammy-Award winning artist is the husband of former Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, and the father of their two children, Georgia Tatom and Sara Kate.

Connick continues to perform at sold-out venues, and the jazz singer/songwriter has been credited with reviving swing music and the big band sound. He is currently working on the film South Pacific, with actress Glenn Close.